North American Robot Orders Break Record

Ann Arbor, Michigan – North American robotics companies posted record new orders in 2005, surpassing its previous high set in 1999, according to new statistics released by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.

A total of 18,228 robots valued at $1.16 billion were ordered by North American manufacturing companies, an increase of 23% in units and 17% in dollars over 2004 totals. When orders placed by companies outside of North America are added, the final totals are 19,445 robots valued at $1.22 billion, gains of 21% in units and 15% in dollars over last year.

''We’ve seen many examples of small, medium, and large companies in just about every industry that have taken advantage of the productivity, quality, and flexibility gains that robots provide in order to compete successfully in the global market,'' said Donald A. Vincent, Executive Vice President of RIA.

Vincent noted that robot use jumped 30% in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries in 2005. ''As companies learn more about the benefits of robotics in industries where they may currently not be in widespread use, we can expect to see long term growth.''

Automotive manufacturers, the largest users of robots, increased their orders by 49% in 2005. Orders jumped 14% to automotive components companies. Combined, these two sectors accounted for 70% of new robot orders in 2005.

''Automotive purchasing tends to be cyclical, so we would not normally expect to see a repeat of this rapid growth in 2006'' Vincent observed.

Robotics Industry Sets New Records in 2005 as New Orders Jump 23% in North America - Robotics Online